2013 split between two UK noise/drone projects, consisting of one side-long track from each, both in the neighborhood of twenty minutes long. Culver is a one-man effort from Tyneside. His side is grimy dark ambient, a shapeless electronic whine like the inside of a massive underground vent, eventually traversed by a delicate post-rock progression on some sort of stringed instrument (whether guitar, harp or other is difficult to say). Xazzaz, a duo from Northumberland, provide harsher sounds on their side: a carefully restrained and fizzy power electronics freakout with much feedback and what may or not be distorted screamed vocals somewhere in the mix. It’s crunchy and dynamic but also rhythmic and repetitive. Both artists successfully conjure very unsettling atmospheres, albeit through very different methods; I think I prefer the Xazzaz side slightly as it feels like it has more happening. Choose between unspeakable forlornness (Culver) and moderate schizophrenia (Xazazz).